The 14th International Donor Registry Conference is set to take place in Cape Town at the Century City Conference Centre this week, where scientists, doctors and stem cell research experts, along with donor registries from across the world, will meet.
The conference anticipates that over 300 delegates will be in attendance for the second time in South Africa, as reported by IOL.
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The event, hosted by the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) and the World Marrow Donor Association, will run until Saturday, 29 June, and focus on ‘some of the latest developments and advancements’ in the industry.
One of the key components of the event was to share ideas around how to ‘diversify the registries in terms of donor populations’ according to Jane Ward, SABMR deputy director.
‘You’re more likely to find a match within your own ethnic group. We know for a fact that there are more patients of Caucasian ethnicity on the registries than other ethnic minorities, such as coloured, black, and Asian,’ said Ward.
‘There’s only a 26% chance that they will find a match compared to Caucasians by 72%. So it highlights the fact that no matter where you are from, who you are, everybody deserves a second chance, this is what we want to promote at this conference and to diversify the recruitment of donors, so more donors can donate,’ Ward added.
That said, some progress with diversification has been made, as the black population used to make up only 5% of the registry in South Africa, but now contributes 10-12%.
The SAMBR relies on funding to recruit donors, and for its Patient Assistance Programme, which assists patients that are unable to afford the costs of a bone marrow transplant.
‘This is vitally important as we are part of the global medical community. South Africa has incredible specialists working in the field of haematology. We have patients who have found matching stem cell donors in other countries and likewise, have also facilitated donations for patients elsewhere,’ said Palesa Mokomele, DKMS (‘Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei’) Africa head of department for Community Engagement and Communications.
‘We are part of a major global network and this conference only serves to recognise our placing in the world,’ Mokomele added.
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Picture: Mlungisi Louw / Gallo